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ILLINOIS DAY 
CELEBRATION 

FOR THE 

UNIVERSITY OF 
ILLINOIS 



WILLIAM CHAUNCY LANGDON 



ILLINOIS DAY 
CELEBRATION 

FOR THE 

UNIVERSITY OF 
ILLINOIS 



WILLIAM CHAUNCY LANGDON 



Urbana-Champaign 

Illinois 

1917 






Copyright. 1917 

By William Chau.ncy Langdon 

All Rights Reserved 



©CI.D 4851 G 



DEC 10 1917 



THE PERSONS OF THE 
^ CELEBRATION 

^ The President of the University of Illinois 

^ The Deans of the University of Illinois 

Members of the Constitutional Convention of 1818 : 

Governor Ninian Edwards 

Governor Shadrach Bond 

Pierre Menard 

Nathaniel Pope 

Jesse B. Thomas 

Edward Coles 

Elias Kent Kane 

Daniel Pope Cook 

John McLean 

America 

Illinois 



ILLINOIS DAY 
CELEBRATION 

FOR THE 

UNIVERSITY OF 
ILLINOIS 



On the Platform of the Auditorium of the University of 
Illinois is raised a high dais, on ivhich are tivo seats, one a little 
loiver than the other. In froyit at either side are groups of seats. 
Steps go doivn from the Platform to the central aisle. 

The Music plays a Processional March. From one side 
there enter the President and Deans of the University of Illi- 
7iois in their academic caps, goivns ayid hoods. From the other 
side there enter a group representing Governor Ninian Ed- 
ivards. Governor Shadrach Bond, and other leaders of the Illi- 
nois Constitutional Convention of 1818. They go to their seats 
on either side at the front, and sit down. When the Processional 
March comes to an end, the President of the University rises. 



President: Men, Women of the University, 
My fellow-members of the Faculty, 
And Students in these various Colleges : — 



This is the day whereon the sovereign State 
Of Illinois was born, December third, 
Eighteen-eighteen, the Senate cast its vote 
Without division granting finally 
The fair petition of our fathers for 
Admission to the Union of the States. 

Wherefore this day by law is duly held 

In honor and in grateful memory, 

And I today as President have called 

The University of Illinois 

In worthy Convocation, fittingly 

To celebrate the admission of the State. 

As specially his high occasion brings 

Together here the present and the past, 

So those who laid the State's foundations sure 

Are here in those who led our fathers then. 

In Ninian Edwards, Territorial Governor, 

In Shadrach Bond, first Governor of the State, 

In Pierre Menard and in Nathaniel Pope, 

His nephew, Daniel Cook, and E. K. Kane, 

In Edward Coles, McLean and Thomas, — men 

Who, though they builded better than they knew, 

Looked far into the future as they worked, — 

As also in our day, God grant, do we ! 



The President of the University resumes his seat and 
Governor Ninian Edwards rises. 



Edwards : As when we came, keen pioneers, from out 
The tangled wilderness, from out the dark 
Dense wooded swamp, through which we had cut our 

way. 
Into the open prairie and the sun, — 
So was it when we came at last from out 
The territorial status and became 
A State. In our own hands our destinies ! 

[6] 



No danger lurked which we might not forefend. 

The open grassy fields stretched mile on mile 

Before us till our view was lost to sight 

Far off in distant years. These prairies were 

The State of Illinois, and over all 

The deep blue shining sky of Heaven ! 

My friends here with me were among the men 

Who then so boldly wisely did their part 

In organizing this State government 

And in securing its admission as 

A State. Nathaniel Pope, our Delegate 

In Congress, in the first month of the year 

Presented our petition in the House. 

On April eighteenth the Enabling Act 

Was signed. Therein two clauses specially 

Worked for the great upbuilding and the power 

Of the future Commonwealth. The first one gave 

The State some fifty miles of shore upon 

Lake Michigan, thus making possible her port 

And intimate relations with the North, 

To match the commerce that the Mississippi 

Swept along its flood of waters toward 

The South. The second clause provided well 

For making roads to lead into the State ; 

So should the immigration come straight through 

And not be hindered by the forest tracts 

That lay forbiddingly across the pathways 

From the east. Then too still other clauses gave, 

According to the noble precedent 

Of other States, endowment for the Schools, 

And for a public University, 

In final consequence whereof these walls 

Afford us shelter now, and serve the great 

Unfathomable destinies to which 

God leads the State. 

Pursuant to this Act, 
We met in August at Kaskaskia 
To draft a Constitution for our State, 

m 



And organized with Thomas in the Chair. 
Most of us were farmers, settlers, men 
Of practical experience but not 
Of legal learning. But Elias Kane 
Though young was learned in the law, and he 
Did most to guide and codify our work. 

Thereunder was elected Shadrach Bond 

First Governor of the State of Illinois, 

And Pierre Menard Lieutenant Governor, 

While Jesse Thomas to the Senate went 

With me, and John McLean received the vote 

For Congress. There he put the measure through 

Admitting Illinois, and James Monroe, 

As President, affixed his signature 

To that foundation stone of Illinois 

The day the Senate voted to concur, 

December third, eighteen-eighteen. 



As Governor Ediuards finishes his recounting of the early 
days, the President of the University again rises. 



President : Such the beginnings. Now our State maintains 
Imperial her position on the Lakes 
And on the prairies of the Middle West ! 
The second city of the Nation hers ; 
The central market of the continent ! 
The mighty Mississippi highway binds 
In mutual interest Northern wheat and corn 
With Southern cotton, sugar, lumber, rice ; 
While long transcontinental railroad lines 
Unite Atlantic and Pacific coasts ! 

Thus from her central vantage-point the State 
Of Illinois has still looked forth to find 
Her onward way. So has she specially 
Been favored as America has grown. 
To Illinois all her preeminence 

[8] 



America has given, and Illinois 

Full service has in loyal love returned. 

The century gives way to other years, 

But thus forever shall it be. So now 

In this commemoration of the State, 

Oh may that glorious spirit be with us 

Which growing mightily through all the years 

Has nursed our growth, as men, and as a State, 

The eagle-crested, star-crowned, golden one 

For whom we pray, — America ! 

The Music plays The Star Spangled Banner. All rise. 
Doivn the centi^al aisle comes the figure of America, escorted by 
soldiers of the Brigade of the University of Illinois. She is 
7'obed in ivhite, with a golden girdle and a golden liberty cap. 
She carr^ies the Amey-ican Flag in her right hand and wears the 
Shield of the United States on her left shoidder. She goes up 
the steps onto the Platform and on up the steps of the dais, tak- 
ing her place in front of the higher seat. Her escorts stand on 
either side at the foot of the dais. At the close of the national 
air Governor Edwards and the President of the University 
greet her in tribute for the present and for the past. 

Edwards : Hail ! Dream of all our early strivings ! Hail 

President : Hail ! Inspiration of the common hope 
Wherein we guard and guide the good of all ! 

The Mu^ic again plays and the Convocation joins in sing- 
ing two stanzas of 

America 

My County ! 'Tis of thee, 
Sweet land of Liberty, 

Of thee I sing ! 
Land where my fathers died, 
Land of the Pilgrims' pride, 
From every mountain side 

Let Freedom ring ! 

[9] 



Our fathers' God, to Thee, 
Author of Liberty, 

To Thee we sing ! 
Long may our land be bright 
With Freedom's holy light ! 
Protect us by Thy might. 

Great God, our King! 



At the close of the hymn the people resume their seats. 



America : Together all the People, north and south, 
From ocean, east and west, to ocean join, 
And all the generations too unite 
In praise and prayer before the Great White Throne 
Of Him Whose dearest Law is Liberty ! 
Behold, an hundred years ago your prayer 
Was Liberty ! An hundred years have passed, 
Your praise is Freedom ! So eternally 
Do praise and prayer commingled rise to Heaven, 
And so eternally His Spirit rules ! 

Then may the God of Freedom bless and keep 
The State of Illinois, and all the States, 
And all the Nations of the Earth. Amen ! 



America sits down and addresses all the people assembled 
before her. 



America: Remember the creation of your State 

And call to mind the meaning of those days! 
Read o'er the instruments whereby was made 
Your government an hundred years ago ! 



Nathaniel Pope steps forivard and reads from the Enab- 
ling Act of 1818. 

[10] 



Pope: From The Enabling Act of April 18, 1818:— "Be it 
enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America, in Congress assembled, That 
the inhabitants of the territory of Illinois be, and they are 
hereby, authorized to form for themselves a constitution 
and State government, and to assume such name as they 
shall deem proper ; and the said State, when formed, shall 
be admitted into the Union upon the same footing with the 
original States, in all respects whatever," 



Elias Kent Kane then steps forward and reads from the 
Constitution of Illinois, 1818. 



Kane: From the first Constitution of the State of Illinois, 
1818. "The people of the Illinois Territory, having the 
right of admission into the General Government as a mem- 
ber of the Union, consistent with the Constitution of the 
United States, the Ordinance of Congress of 1787, and the 
law of Congress approved April 18, 1818, ... in order to 
establish justice, promote the welfare, and secure the 
blessings of liberty to themselves and their posterity, do, 
by their representatives in convention, ordain and estab- 
lish the following constitution or form of government; 
and do mutually agree with each other to form themselves 
into a free and independent State, by the name of the 
State of Illinois. 

Article I, Section 1. The powers of the government 
of the State of Illinois shall be divided into three distinct 
departments, and each of them confided to a separate body 
of magistracy, to wit : Those which are legislative, to one ; 
those which are executive to another; and those which are 
judiciary, to another. 

Article VIII. That the general, great, and essential 
principles of liberty and free government may be recog- 
nized and unalterably established, we declare: 

"Section 1. That all men are born equally free and 
independent, and have certain inherent and indefeasible 
rights; among which are those of enjoying and defending 
life and liberty, and of acquiring, possessing, and protect- 
ing property and reputation, and of pursuing their own 
happiness. 

[11] 



"Section 2. That all power is inherent in the people, 
and all free governments are founded on their authority, 
and instituted for their peace, safety, and happiness. 

"Section 3. That all men have a natural and inde- 
feasible right to worship Almighty God according to the 
dictates of their own consciences." 



America: Now bring her hither whom you choose to stand 
As figure of the State of Illinois. 

Governor Edwards and Governor Bond go to meet the 
State of Illinois and escort her to America. Illinois stands he- 
fore America facing her. She is robed in a siyigle garment of 
pale gold. The Music plays all through the ceremony of inves- 
titure. America at first addresses Illinois, and then the People. 

America : All simply clad in native gold you come, 
The color of your leagues of ripened corn. 
If this be she whom you have chosen for 
Your State, upraise your arms ; acclaim her. 

All The People : Hail ! 



America : Invest her with the garment of her Statehood ; 
Robe her in the blue of sovereignty ! 



An overvesture of blue velvet is brought and placed upon 
the State of Illinois. Upon the breast is a golden I. 

America : Upon her shoulders cast the ample cloak 
Of federal protection, federal right. 



A long floicing cloak of blue is brought and affi.vcd to her 
shoidders. 

[12] 



America: Give her the Flag into her hand; the Shield. 



The State Flag is brought and give^i to Illinois; also the 
State Shield. America then rises in her place, giving her Flag 
and her Shield to tivo of the soldiers, and addresses Illinois. 



America: Thus, Illinois, in the name of American People I 
receive you. I create you a State by your chosen name of 
Illinois. I place the Star of Statehood on your forehead 
and I admit you to the Union of the United States. 



With the words, America places a golden wreath upon Illi- 
nois' head heariyig a star. Then Governor Edwards and the 
President of the University) turn Illinois around to the People, 
and the Music sivelling forth fortissimo all the people join in 
singing three sta7izas of the State Song, 

Illinois 

By thy rivers gently flowing, Illinois, Illinois, 
O'er thy prairies verdant growing, Illinois, Illinois, 

Comes an echo on the breeze, 

Rustling through the leafy trees. 
And its mellow tones are these, Illinois, Illinois ! 

Thou didst hear thy country calling, Illinois, Illinois, 
Mid the din of war appalling, Illinois, Illinois, 

Then thy courage and thy will 

Rose each heart to fire and thrill. 
Brave and loyal thou art still, Illinois, Illinois ! 

While thy glory we are singing, Illinois, Illinois, 
Loyal homage to thee bringing, Illinois, Illinois, 
Let us praise His holy name. 
Through whose might all good we claim. 
Who has wrought thy wondrous fame Illinois, Illinois ! 

(C. M. Chamberlain and F. M. Steele.) 

[13] 



At the end of the State Song America resumes her seat, 
Illinois takes her seat on the dais beside America and all the 
people sit down. Then the President of the University delivers 
ayi address, or iyitroduces the Speaker of the Day. After the 
Address, there is sung : — 



On Forever, Illinois! 

Illinois!' Above the prairie 

High thine eagle wings his flight, 
Watching, vigilant and wary. 

Over human toil and right ! 
Eagle-pinioned, on with joy ! 

On forever, Illinois! 
Through the storm sweep on with joy ! 

On forever, Illinois! 

Illinois ! The times are calling 

Souls that fear no sacrifice ! 
Men for Liberty are falling; 

Will your sons refuse the price? 
Scorning danger, on with joy! 

On forever, Illinois! 
On through death ! On, on with joy ! 

On forever, Illinois! 

Illinois ! Thy meed of glory 

That all men, till years are dust, 
Shall thy sons, high famed in story, 

Silent, heaven-borne eagles, trust ! 
On through death ! On, on with joy ! 

On forever, Illinois! 
Eagle-pinioned, on with joy! 

On forever, Illinois! 



The Benediction is then pronounced by the President of 
the University. 

[14] 



President: Now may He Who breathes the breath of life 
into all men breathe His Spirit into the State of Illinois, 
and into the United States of America, and into All the 
■ Peoples of the Earth, inspiring them to do His Holy 
Will under the perfect Law of Liberty, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



The Music plays a Recessional March. America and Illi- 
nois rise from their seats arid descend, the steps of the dais. 
Then, preceded by the Members of the Constitutional Conven- 
tion of 1818 and followed by the President and Deans of the 
University, they go out straight up the central aisle while 
the people of the Convocation stand in their places. 



[16] 



THE ILLINOIS DAY CELEBATION 

OF THE 
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 

ivas presented in the Auditorium, December 3, 1917, by the 

Committee on Convocations, luith the cooperation of the 

Illinois Dram,a Federation 

THE PERSONS IN THE CELEBRATION 

The President of the University of Illinois 

The Deans of the University of Illinois 

The Members of the Constitutional Convention, 1818: 

Governor Ninian Edwards R. A. Bryant 

Governor Shadrach Bond H. W. Gibson 

Nathaniel Pope R. S. White 

E. K. Kane A. A. Dailey 

Jesse B. Thomas George Salladin 

Pierre Menard J. H. Armstrong 

Daniel Pope Cook Joel Greene 

Edward Coles Charles Fairman 

John McLean Newman Romero 

America Gertrude Sawyer 

Illinois Lucille Peirson 

Escort to America and the Colors, Arthur H. Bodenschatz, 

Rex R. Thompson, and Cadets 

The Music for the Celebration was composed by J. Law- 
rence Erb, FA.G.O. The singing was led by the com- 
bined Glee Clubs of the University. 

The Costumes of America and Illinois were designed by Mrs. 
William Chauncy Langdon. 

The Committee on Illinois Day Convocation consisted of 
Daniel Kilham Dodge, Chairman; Dean Fanny C. Gates, 
Dr. Allene Gregory, Francis Keese Wynkoop Drury, and 
William Chauncy Langdon. 

[16] 



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Champaign, Illinois J 



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